Computing heat transfer for useful applications

Abstract

A system for collecting waste heat from computing components and delivering the collected heat for useful applications is provided. At least a first heat exchanger is provided to collect the waste heat generated by the computing components. A further heat exchanger is provided to transfer the heat collected by the first heat exchanger and deliver it for useful applications. The useful applications can include providing heat to a building (e.g., residential, commercial, agricultural building). A controller is provided to operation of the components of the heat exchangers (e.g., fans, pumps, valves) to ensure that the computing components are maintained at a suitable temperature.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computing waste heat energy collection system for collecting waste heat generated by the operation of computing components and providing the collected waste heat for useful applications, comprising:
 an air intake;   at least one fan, the fan being configured to move the intake air across the computing components to cool the computing components by heat transfer from the computing components to the air;   at least one temperature sensor, the temperature sensor being configured to sense the temperature of the computing components;   a first heat exchanger provided downstream of the computing components, the first heat exchanger being configured to collect heat transferred from the computing components to the air;   a second heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger being configured to transfer heat collected by the first heat exchanger and deliver the heat for useful applications;   at least a first pump for circulating a first working fluid through the first heat exchanger;   at least a second pump for circulating a second working fluid through the second heat exchanger; and   a controller, the controller being configured to receive temperature signals from the at least one temperature sensor, the controller being further configured to control operation of the at least one fan, the at least first pump, and the at least second pump.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the useful application is providing heat to a structure, and wherein the second pump circulates the second working fluid to transfer the heat collected from the computing components to provide heat to the structure. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the useful application is providing heated water, and wherein second working fluid is water and the second pump circulates the second working fluid to transfer the heat collected from the computing components to provide the heated water. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further including at least one storage tank operatively connected to the first heat exchanger, the storage tank being configured to provide a reservoir for the first working fluid so that the first working fluid can further cool prior to entering the first heat exchanger. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further including at least a second fan, the second fan being configured to circulate air across the second heat exchanger to increase the heat transfer rate between the first working fluid and the second working fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computing components are configured for cryptocurrency mining operations. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is provided as a mobile unit so that the system can be transported to different locations. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a third heat exchanger provided upstream of the computing components, the third heat exchanger being configured to cool the intake air. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the third heat exchanger is fluidly connected to the first heat exchanger to receive the first working fluid after heat absorbed by the first working fluid is transferred to the second working fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to reduce the operation of the computing components if there is an excess of delivered heat and the temperature of the computing components is above a threshold limit. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing for the computing components, where the computing components disposed in the housing have a density greater than 50 Watts per cubic foot. 
     
     
         12 . A computing waste heat energy collection system for collecting waste heat generated by the operation of computing components and providing the collected waste heat for air in a room in which the system is located, comprising:
 an air intake;   at least one fan, the fan being configured to move the intake air across the computing components to cool the computing components by heat transfer from the computing components to the air;   a heat exchanger, distinct from the at least one fan, that is positioned to further cool the intake air before the intake air reaches the computing components;   an exhaust configured to expel the air heated by the heat transfer from the computing components to the room;   at least a first temperature sensor, the first temperature sensor being configured to sense the temperature of the computing components;   at least a second temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor being configured to sense the temperature of the room; and   a controller, the controller being configured to receive temperature signals from the first and second temperature sensors, the controller being further configured to control operation of the at least one fan,   wherein the controller is configured to increase the speed of the fan if the temperature of the room is below a setpoint, and wherein the controller is configured to decrease the speed of the fan if the temperature of the room is above the setpoint.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the controller can reduce the operation of the computing components if the temperature of the room is above the setpoint and the temperature of the computing components is above a threshold limit. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a housing for the computing components, wherein the computing components disposed in the housing have a density greater than 50 Watts per cubic foot. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a housing for the computing components, wherein the computing components disposed in the housing have a density in a range of from 100 to 300 Watts per cubic foot. 
     
     
         16 . A computing waste heat energy collection system for collecting waste heat generated by the operation of computing components at a location and providing the collected waste heat for delivery to a room external to the location of the computing components, comprising:
 an air intake;   at least one fan, the fan being configured to move the intake air across the computing components to cool the computing components by heat transfer from the computing components to the air;   a heat exchanger positioned downstream from the computing components and in a stream of the air so as to capture at least a portion of the heat transferred to the air from the computing components for delivery to the room external to the location of the computing components;   at least a first temperature sensor, the first temperature sensor being configured to sense the temperature of the computing components;   at least a second temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor being configured to sense the temperature of the room; and   a controller, the controller being configured to receive temperature signals from the first and second temperature sensors, the controller being further configured to control operation of the at least one fan,   wherein the controller is configured to increase the speed of the fan if the temperature of the room is below a setpoint, and wherein the controller is configured to decrease the speed of the fan if the temperature of the room is above the setpoint.   
     
     
         17 . The computing waste heat energy collection system of  claim 16 , wherein the heat exchanger uses at least one of water and antifreeze as a medium to capture heat transferred to the air from the computing components. 
     
     
         18 . The computing waste heat energy collection system of  claim 16 , further comprising an exhaust positioned downstream from the heat exchanger that is arranged to exhaust excess heat not captured by the heat exchanger via movement of exhaust air to an outside environment. 
     
     
         19 . A computing waste heat energy collection system for collecting waste heat generated by the operation of computing components and providing the collected waste heat for heating a building, surface, or enclosed space, comprising:
 a cooling fluid intake positioned downstream from a cooling system and receiving a cooling fluid therefrom, wherein the cooling fluid is heated after exiting the cooling system by the operation of computing components and prior to receipt by the cooling fluid intake;   at least one working fluid;   at least one heat exchanger configured to produce an interface between the cooling fluid and the working fluid, whereby heat is transferred from the cooling fluid to the working fluid at the interface;   an exhaust for releasing excess cooling fluid;   at least one controller coupled to and configured to control operation of the cooling fluid intake, the at least one heat exchanger and the exhaust; and   at least one, fan, pump or compressor for increasing a pressure for routing the working fluid through the at least one heat exchanger,   wherein the at least one controller is configured to increase or decrease operation of the at least one fan, pump or compressor based on a sensed temperature of the computing components and the building, surface, or enclosed space.   
     
     
         20 . The computing waste heat energy collection system of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one processing component positioned between the fluid intake and the first heat exchanger. 
     
     
         21 . The computing waste heat energy collection system of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one sensor coupled to the at least one controller and configured to monitor a metric regarding at least one of the cooling fluid, the working fluid, the cooling fluid intake, the at least one heat exchanger and the exhaust. 
     
     
         22 . The computing waste heat energy collection system of  claim 21 , wherein the metrics monitored include at least one of fluid flow rate, fluid temperature, temperature of the cooling fluid intake, temperature of the at least one heat exchanger, temperature of the exhaust, electrical metrics including voltages and currents within the system. 
     
     
         23 . The computing waste heat energy collection system of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one controller includes a processor, a memory that stores instructions executable by the processor, the instructions being used to configured the at least one controller to receive input from the at least one sensor and to control the operation of the cooling fluid intake, the at least one heat exchanger and the exhaust based on the input received from the at least one sensor. 
     
     
         24 . The computing waste heat energy collection system of  claim 23 , wherein the memory further stores instructions for configuring the at least one controller to increase or reduce an operation of the at least one processing component. 
     
     
         25 . The computing waste heat energy collection system of  claim 19 , further comprising a physical interface positioned between the cooling fluid intake and an external fluid cooling system that is heating the cooling fluid. 
     
     
         26 . The computing waste heat energy collection system of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a set of computing enclosures assembled in close proximity; and   a ventilation system configured to consolidate fluid heated at the set of computing enclosures into a single stream for utilization and receipt by cooling fluid intake.   
     
     
         27 . The computing waste heat energy collection system of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one storage tank or fluid reservoir containing the working fluid that coupled to the at least one heat exchanger. 
     
     
         28 . The computing waste heat energy collection system of  claim 19 , wherein the system is integrated with an external computing system that is positioned to heat the cooling fluid and an external fluid system that supplies the working fluid. 
     
     
         29 . The computing waste heat energy collection system of  claim 19 , wherein the cooling fluid is air. 
     
     
         30 . The computing waste heat energy collection system of  claim 27 , wherein the storage tank acts as a heat storage device, and allows the system to store energy for use on demand.